The popular cross-platform media player VLC turns 20 years old this year. Despite its age, the developers show no signs of slowing down. According to a report on Protocol, the software is getting a version 4.0 update in the coming months that will bring an overhaul to the user interface, a web-based player and improved security.
VLC’s developer VideoLAN said work on the latest version of the software is nearly complete and a stable release is expected in the coming months. Among the significant changes coming to VLC 4.0 is a revamped user interface that will be redesigned from the ground up.
According to VideoLAN foundation president Jean-Baptiste Kempf, the team worked to modify the interface to be a bit more modern. Back in 2019, VideoLAN showed a version of the new interface that replaces the dated grey colour scheme of the original with transparent interface elements and modern-looking icons. That being said, the screenshots from the 2019 version may not represent the final interface used in VLC 4.0.
While there isn’t much information on every change that is coming to VLC 4.0, the story does detail some other priorities for VLC by its developers.
Alongside VLC 4.0, Kempf said the team is also working to bring more online content directly into the VLC. It is said there will be a new version of the VLC that can run inside a web page using Webassembly and JavaScript. This would enable users to play any type of movie inside their web browser.
Interestingly, VideoLAN are also working on another project dubbed Moviepedia which is an attempt to build an IMDb-style database for films that can be edited and maintained by users. This would be similar to how Wikipedia functions with its user contribution model.
Kempf added that the VideoLAN foundation is exploring the use of an ad-supported free video streaming model in the player to generate revenue that would help support the project. In addition, security will also be a major focal point of the VLC 4.0 release, though no additional details were provided by the developers.
There is currently no firm release date yet for VLC 4.0, but you can read more about VideoLAN’s planned features for the release in its 2019 presentation.
Additionally, you can delve into the fascinating history of VLC – how it started when a bunch of students wanted to play Duke Nukem 3D on their campus network, the challenges they faced and their plans for the future. You can read more about it here.
